Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Protecting a Worksheet's Format.

Protecting a Worksheet's Format

Klara knows how to protect the contents of a worksheet by protecting cells. She wonders, however, if there is a way to protect only the format. She's not too concerned if the content changes, but she wants to protect the format.

You can easily protect the formatting of the worksheet, without regard for the contents. Just follow these steps:

If you see a Format Cells check box in the dialog box (it isn't there in all versions of Excel), make sure it cleared.

You do not need to change any information in the dialog box, nor enter a password. Just click on OK.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training.
This tip (3515) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Protecting a Worksheet's Format.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. Learn more about Allen...

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FAAAIL. This just protects the worksheet— contents and formatting. It does not allow users to edit the cells. This is a worthless article!

2019-01-01 02:26:52

Dave Kinghorn

This does not work. I want to lock the format of cells against any change. So if I copy a cell containing a number and the cell format is red fill, and I paste it into a cell whose format is no fill... I get a red fill cell with a number in it. The format has been changed from no fill to red fill.

2018-03-09 04:28:47

Faruk

Sorry, but this doesn't do the job. When I want to move cell content from one cell to another with drag and drop it moves borders with contents of the cell (and borders should remain intact).Can I: copy - paste, move content of cell... without moving border formatting?

2017-08-16 04:02:15

James Kuijpers

When I follow these steps, the users of my spreadsheet aren't able to paste data into it anymore - getting a warning that it's protected.

I would want them to paste, but just guarantee that the formatting of the spreadsheet is preserved.

Am I doing something wrong or do I need to take different steps for that?

2017-03-17 11:47:50

Ava

is there any way to protect formatting so that I can sort lists alphabeticall, expand with the entire chart, but not cause the formatting to switch around, just the lists and the associated formulas?

2017-01-04 08:30:14

RC

In addition to Scott's much needed suggestion, I am looking for a way to completely protect some cells in a sheet, and only protect the formatting for others where input is required.

Any suggestions?

2016-08-12 16:21:51

Scott

This feature disables the formatting tools in the toolbar (and the Ctrl+1 key), but the user can still replace the formatting by pasting (or Paste Special) from somewhere else. So now we just need the "Disable Paste Formatting" feature...

2016-07-21 17:43:53

Julie

I'm trying to build a teacher's calendar that includes different colors of fill for each subject I teach. If I decide to change my plans for a day, I want to be able to drag and drop them to a new day without disturbing my fill and borders.

Thank you for any help you can offer.

2016-03-25 17:05:57

Allan Goodwin

The article wasn't what I was looking for. I want the ability to copy cells from another excel spreadsheet and paste them into the one I protected. I want the data to appear but I don't want the formatting of the protected spreadsheet to change. Example: If I have a cell in a spreadsheet with a green background, and I copy it to a protected sheet, I don't want to see the green.. but I am.

2016-02-03 21:25:55

SHARON RAYMOND

excellent website - thank you - have bookmarked this site and will pass on how direct and user friendly this website is - congratulations

2016-01-13 14:24:48

Michael

When I am in the worksheet I am prevented from changing the formatted borders, but when I copied over other data to fill cells the formatted cell borders were deleted to match the copy over. Can this be prevented?